Tonya S. Bundick sits with her lawyer during a preliminary hearing in Accomack County General District Court in Accomac, Va., Monday afternoon, June 17, 2013. Bundick and Charles R. Smith III are each charged with one count of arson and one count of conspiracy to commit arson in connection with a fire at an abandoned structure in Melfa. Authorities have said the couple is responsible for most of the 77 arsons on the Eastern Shore since last fall. They were arrested April 2. (AP Photo/The Virginian-Pilot, Bill Tiernan)
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PARKSLEY – She documented trips to the store, sleepless nights, even some frustration with the media.

Accused Accomack County arsonist Tonya Bundick after she was released from jail on bond in September apparently went back to posting her thoughts on the social media site Facebook.

Entries made between the time of her release and when she was arrested on new charges Dec. 2 are telling and poignant, ranging from thoughts about the press coverage and friendships to an admission of sleepless nights.

An expert says such public statements on social media from such a high-profile defendant are not unusual.

“The general perception is they’re not getting their side voiced,” said Jennifer Brannock Cox, assistant professor of communications at Salisbury University.

“Social media has now become a way that you can be your own broadcaster.”

Bundick was denied bail in a Dec. 11 hearing and remains incarcerated at the Eastern Shore Regional Jail. A jury trial on two of the 64 counts she faces is set for Jan. 13 in Virginia Beach.

The posts were written on the same Facebook page which earlier this year was the subject of a search warrant in a police investigation of dozens of fires she and fiance Charles R. Smith III are suspected of setting in Accomack County.

The pair were arrested April 2 and Smith, who pleaded guilty to 68 arson counts in October, remains incarcerated in the Accomack County Jail.

Bundick, who initially was charged with only two counts, was released on bond Sept. 23.

Posts to the Facebook page, “Teechar Toobannounced,” resumed on Sept. 29 and continued until shortly before Bundick was arrested again, hours after a grand jury indicted her on 62 additional arson counts.

Teechar Toobannounced during the arson spree was, and still is, listed as a member of Facebook groups formed to discuss the arson fires, including the group “Arson in Accomack” and ESVA Fires — Who is Setting These Fires? And How Will They Be Stopped?”

A police search of the account resulted in a 521-page file.

Police filed search warrants for the account and a second one after Smith told investigators the couple targeted one house for arson because of comments its occupant made to Bundick on Facebook.

When the posts resumed in late September, the writer spoke at first about media attention surrounding the fires and subsequent court cases.

“To all the real friends who see past the media hype and speculation...mad love for you. Just because you read it doesn’t make it fact,” a Sept. 29 post reads in part.

It continues, “...To the people I deleted...no hate towards ya, actually made me laugh. Life goes on without ya...I’ve never had a problem taking out the trash.”

The writer again apparently targeted members of the media in an Oct. 7 post, saying, “I wonder how people would feel if u treated them as they do u...be just as phony as they...news flash folks...ur life isn’t so dandy either and I hope u never need an ally...cuz u may just get a dose of fake to go with ur collection.”

A lighter tone appeared in an Oct. 12 post: “Watching Cops...yes I still have a sense of humor.”

Among the most poignant posts is one from Nov. 29, Black Friday: “Was at wal-mart ... Christmas shopping officially done.”

Bundick is the mother of two sons. The comments in an exchange below the original post appear to indicate she was aware it was likely she would again be taken into custody before Christmas.

“Well considering circumstances wanted to make sure my boys had what they wanted just in case...least I won’t go with a heavy heart...regardless what anyone says I’ve always put my boys first...” she says to one woman.

She also writes to the same woman, “if I am out for Christmas ... I got something in mind for u...”

From then until the time of Bundick’s arrest, the posts grow more somber in tone.

On Nov. 30 there is this: “So my mood ain’t great...it fluctuates...ain’t that some luck.”

The next day a post read, somewhat cryptically, “For whom the bell tolls...”

On Dec. 2, apparently in the early hours of the day Bundick would face arrest, a post again mentioned being unable to sleep.

On the same date there was this message: “Love all my family and real friends...xo to you all...you mean the world to me.”

Bundick’s attorney declined to comment on the Facebook posts.

But such online activity, especially on Facebook, by a person facing legal troubles can be common, said Cox.

“It’s not that surprising for a couple of reasons,” she said.

Cox noted recent studies show significant growth in Facebook use among users over age 40, Bundick’s age.

A 2013 Business Insider report found Facebook use increased by 45 percent since the end of 2012 in the 45-54 age group.

Additionally, 67 percent of all Internet users in the United States now participate in Facebook, making it the dominant social media site, according to the Pew Research Center.

That figure is in contrast to 16 percent who use Twitter and 20 percent who use LinkedIn.

Cox noted those accused of committing crimes often view traditional media outlets as not adequately presenting their side of the story.

“It looks like she is almost using it as a way to vindicate herself, which is not that unusual,” she said.